U.S. patent application number 15/905493 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-30 for apparatus and method for smart sand table demonstration.
The applicant listed for this patent is Meike Technology (Beijing) Ltd., Microduino Inc.. Invention is credited to Hao CHEN, Bin FENG, Xi LI, Kejia PAN, Zhenshan WANG.
Application Number | 20180247568 15/905493 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63246395 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180247568 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WANG; Zhenshan ; et
al. |
August 30, 2018 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SMART SAND TABLE DEMONSTRATION
Abstract
Apparatus and method for smart sand table demonstration are
provided. The demonstration apparatus includes: a sand table base,
a sensor device, a demonstration device and a controller. The
sensor device is placed on the sand table base which is also used
as a demonstration carrier for the demonstration device. The sensor
device includes a sensor module and a first wireless communication
module, for monitoring a status of the sensor module and transmit
the status information to the controller through a wireless
connection. The controller determines demonstration information
based at least one of smart demonstration project information and
the status information, and transmits the demonstration information
to the demonstration device. The demonstration device analyzes the
received demonstration information and performs demonstration
actions.
Inventors: |
WANG; Zhenshan; (Beijing,
CN) ; CHEN; Hao; (Beijing, CN) ; LI; Xi;
(Beijing, CN) ; PAN; Kejia; (Beijing, CN) ;
FENG; Bin; (Westlake Village, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Microduino Inc.
Meike Technology (Beijing) Ltd. |
Westlake Village
Beijing |
CA |
US
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
63246395 |
Appl. No.: |
15/905493 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 76/10 20180201;
G09B 29/12 20130101; G09B 25/06 20130101; G06F 3/0484 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G09B 29/12 20060101
G09B029/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 25, 2017 |
CN |
201710105232.7 |
Feb 25, 2017 |
CN |
201720173407.3 |
Claims
1. A smart sand table demonstration apparatus, comprising: a sand
table base; a sensor device; a demonstration device; and a
controller, wherein: the sand table base is used as a demonstration
carrier for the demonstration device, the sensor device is placed
on the sand table base and includes a sensor module and a first
wireless communication module for monitoring a status of the sensor
module and transmitting status information to the controller
through wireless connections, the controller determines
demonstration information based on at least one of smart
demonstration project information and the status information of the
sensor module, and transmits the demonstration information to the
demonstration device, and the demonstration device analyzes the
received demonstration information and performs demonstration
actions corresponding to the demonstration information.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the demonstration
device includes a projecting device, and the demonstration
information includes projecting information; and the projecting
device receives the projecting information from the controller and
projects the projecting information onto the sand table base.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the demonstration
device includes a response device and a second wireless
communication module for receiving the demonstration information
from the controller and transmitting the demonstration information
to the response devices wirelessly; and the response device is
placed on the sand table base and performs the demonstration
actions based on the demonstration information.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: the response device
is one or more of a display, a media player, an LED lamp, a buzzer,
a speaker, and a motor.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the sensor module
includes one or more of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a
light illuminating sensor, an air quality sensor, a human body
sensing sensor, a color identifying sensor, a proximity sensor, a
collision sensor, a posture sensor, a heart rate sensor, a gesture
sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a Hall sensor, a voice collector, and
an image collector.
6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: the first wireless
communication module and the second wireless communication module
establish a communication with the controller by one or more of a
Bluetooth wireless connection, an infrared wireless connection, and
a WiFi wireless connection.
7. The apparatus according to claim 3, further including: a
plurality of sensor devices and a plurality of the demonstration
devices, wherein: the first wireless communication module is
configured to establish a wireless network system including the
plurality of the sensor devices; a first wireless communication
module of one sensor device has a wireless connection with a first
wireless communication module of another sensor device; the second
wireless communication module is configured to establish a wireless
network system including the plurality of the demonstration
devices; and a second wireless communication module of one
demonstration device has a wireless connection with a second
wireless communication module of another demonstration device.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the controller
further receives user control information from a user terminal, and
determines the demonstration information based on one or more of
the smart demonstration project information, the status
information, and the user control information; and application
programs corresponding to the smart sand table demonstration
apparatus are installed on the user terminal and user interfaces
provided by the application programs generate the user control
information based on user's inputs.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: the controller
further determines feedback information based on one or more of the
smart demonstration project information, the status information,
and the user control information, and transmits the feedback
information to the user terminal; and the feedback information is
demonstrated on the user terminal by the application programs in a
form including one or more of display, sound, and vibration.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: the controller and
the user terminal are connected to a cloud server respectively; and
the controller and the user terminal communicate with each other
through the cloud server.
11. A smart sand table demonstration method using an apparatus
including a sand table base, a sensor device, a demonstration
device, and a controller, the method comprising: establishing a
wireless connection between the controller and the sensor device,
the sensor device is placed on the sand table base; establishing a
connection between the controller and the demonstration device,
wherein the demonstration device has a demonstration carrier
including the sand table base; loading smart demonstration project
information; receiving status information monitored and collected
by the sensor device; determining demonstration information based
on one or more of the smart demonstration project information and
the status information; and transmitting the demonstration
information to the demonstration device for analyzing the
demonstration information and performing demonstration actions
corresponding to the demonstration information.
12. The method according to claim 11, further including: receiving
status updating information of the sensor device; determining the
demonstration updating information based on the status updating
information and the smart demonstration project information; and
instructing the demonstration device to perform demonstration
updating actions based on the demonstration updating
information.
13. The method according to claim 11, further including: receiving
user control information from a user terminal, wherein application
programs corresponding to the smart sand table demonstration
apparatus are installed on the user terminal and user interfaces
provided by the application programs generate the user control
information based on user's inputs; and determining the
demonstration information based on one or more of the smart
demonstration project information, the status information, and the
user control information.
14. The method according to claim 13, further including:
determining feedback information based on one or more of the smart
demonstration project information, the status information, and the
user control information; and transmitting the feedback information
to the user terminal, wherein the feedback information is
demonstrated on the user terminal by the application programs in a
form including one or more of display, sound, and vibration.
15. The smart sand table demonstration method according to claim
13, wherein the controller and user terminals are connected to a
cloud server respectively; and the controller and user terminals
communicate with each other through the cloud server.
16. The method according to claim 11, wherein: the demonstration
device includes a projecting device, and the demonstration
information includes projecting information; and the projecting
device receives the projecting information from the controller and
projects the projecting information onto the sand table base.
17. The method according to claim 11, wherein: the demonstration
device includes a response device and a second wireless
communication module for receiving the demonstration information
from the controller and transmitting the demonstration information
to the response devices wirelessly; and the response device is
placed on the sand table base and performs the demonstration
actions based on the demonstration information.
18. The method according to claim 11, wherein: the response device
is one or more of a display, a media player, an LED lamp, a buzzer,
a speaker, and a motor.
19. The method according to claim 11, wherein: the sensor module
includes one or more of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a
light illuminating sensor, an air quality sensor, a human body
sensing sensor, a color identifying sensor, a proximity sensor, a
collision sensor, a posture sensor, a heart rate sensor, a gesture
sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a Hall sensor, a voice collector, and
an image collector.
20. The method according to claim 11, wherein: the apparatus
further includes a plurality of sensor devices and a plurality of
the demonstration devices; the first wireless communication module
is configured to establish a wireless network system including the
plurality of the sensor devices; a first wireless communication
module of one sensor device has a wireless connection with a first
wireless communication module of another sensor device; the second
wireless communication module is configured to establish a wireless
network system including the plurality of the demonstration
devices; and a second wireless communication module of one
demonstration device has a wireless connection with a second
wireless communication module of another demonstration device
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority of Chinese Patent
Application No. 201710105232.7, filed on Feb. 25, 2017, and Chinese
Patent Application No. 201720173407.3, filed on Feb. 25, 2017, the
content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of
sand table demonstration technologies and more particularly,
relates to a smart sand table demonstration apparatus and its
demonstration method.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Conventional sand table systems usually only include static
models and exhibition in monotonous forms. Even interactive sand
table systems can only achieve a single effect with simple
mechanical structures (such as doors that can be open or closed
manually) or simple switch/driving circuits (such as turning lights
on or off). Moreover, electronic devices in the sand table systems
have to be connected to data ports of controllers by wires, to
accomplish interactive functions.
[0004] However, there is a need for an apparatus and a method for
smart sand table demonstration that can be used for some
complicated demonstration and interaction with electronic devices.
The disclosed apparatus and methods are directed to at least
partially alleviate one or more problems set forth above and to
solve other problems in the art.
SUMMARY
[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a smart sand
table demonstration apparatus. The apparatus includes: a sand table
base, a sensor device, a demonstration device, and a controller.
The sand table base is used as a demonstration carrier for the
demonstration devices. The sensor device is placed on the sand
table base and includes a sensor module and a first wireless
communication module for monitoring a status of the sensor module
and transmitting status information to the controller through
wireless connections. The controller determines demonstration
information based on at least one of smart demonstration project
information and the status information of the sensor module, and
transmits the demonstration information to the demonstration
device. The demonstration device analyzes the received
demonstration information and performs demonstration actions
corresponding to the demonstration information.
[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method
for smart table demonstration using an apparatus including a sand
table base, a sensor device, a demonstration device and a
controller. The method includes: establishing a wireless connection
between the controller and the sensor device, the sensor device is
placed on the sand table base; establishing a connection between
the controller and the demonstration device; loading smart
demonstration project information; receiving status information
monitored and collected by the sensor device; determining
demonstration information based on one or more of the smart
demonstration project information and the status information; and
transmitting the demonstration information to the demonstration
device for analyzing the demonstration information and performing
demonstration actions corresponding to the demonstration
information. The demonstration device has a demonstration carrier
including the sand table base.
[0007] Other aspects or embodiments of the present disclosure can
be understood by those skilled in the art in light of the
description, the claims, and the drawings of the present
disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The following drawings are merely examples for illustrative
purposes according to various disclosed embodiments and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a structural block diagram for an
exemplary smart sand table demonstration apparatus according to
various embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a structural block diagram for another
exemplary smart sand table demonstration apparatus according to
various embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary smart sand table according
to various embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a structural block diagram for an
exemplary electronic device according to various embodiments of the
present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a structural block diagram of examples
for a sensor device, a demonstration device and a mobile device
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary method for smart table
demonstration according to various disclosed embodiments of the
present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary method for smart table
demonstration according to various disclosed embodiments of the
present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 8A illustrates a top view of an exemplary smart sand
table demonstration project according to various embodiments of the
present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 8B illustrates an exemplary mobile prop in the smart
sand table demonstration project in FIG. 8A according to various
embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates a three-dimensional structure for the
smart sand table demonstration project in FIG. 8A according to
various embodiments of the present disclosure; and
[0019] FIG. 10 illustrates a three-dimensional structure for
another exemplary smart sand table demonstration project according
to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Reference may now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments
of the disclosure, which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers may be used
throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
[0021] The present disclosure provides a smart sand table
demonstration apparatus and a method for smart table demonstration.
The smart table demonstration apparatus may include a smart table
base; a sensor device; a demonstration device; and a controller.
The sensor device and demonstration device may be deployed on the
smart table base. The demonstration device may include a projecting
device to project images on a surface of the smart table base. The
sensor device and the demonstration device may be composed of
various electronic modules. The electronic modules in the present
disclosure may also refer to modules or electronic building
blocks.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a structural block diagram of a smart
sand table demonstration apparatus provided by various embodiments
of the present disclosure. The smart sand table demonstration
apparatus 100 may include a sand table base 110, a sensor device
120, a demonstration device 130 and a controller 140. The sand
table base 110 may host the sensor devices 120 and be used as a
demonstration carrier for the demonstration device 130. The sand
table base 110 may include one or more static sand table scenery
structures. The sensor device 120 may include a sensor module and a
first wireless communication module for monitoring a status
information of the sensor module and transmitting the status
information to the controller 140 through wireless connections. The
controller 140 may determine the demonstration information based on
at least one of the smart demonstration project information and the
status information, and to transmit the demonstration information
to the demonstration device 130. The demonstration device 130 may
analyze the received demonstration information and perform
demonstration actions corresponding to the demonstration
information.
[0023] In various embodiments, the sensor module and the first
wireless communication module in the sensor devices 120 may be
connected physically and electrically. Different types of the
sensor module may be used according to the different interactive
demonstration projects. A plurality of sensors with same or
different types may be placed on one sand table base 110. The
sensor device 120 may be combined with one of the sand table
scenery structures to form an interactive scene related to contents
of the smart demonstration projects. The sensor module may be one
or more of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a light
illuminating sensor, an air quality sensor, a human body sensing
sensor, a color identifying sensor, a proximity sensor, a collision
sensor, a posture sensor, a heart rate sensor, a gesture sensor, an
ultrasonic sensor, a Hall sensor, a voice collector and an image
collector.
[0024] In various embodiments, the demonstration device 130 may
include a projecting device, and the demonstration information may
include projecting information. The projecting device may receive
the projecting information from the controller 140 and project the
projecting information onto the sand table base 110. In other
embodiments, the demonstration device 130 may further include
response devices and second wireless communication modules. The
second wireless communication modules may receive the demonstration
information from the controller 140 and transmit the demonstration
information to the response devices wirelessly. The response
devices may be placed on the sand table base 110 and may perform
demonstration actions corresponding to the demonstration
information. The response devices may be further combined with the
sand table scenery structures, to form the interactive scenes
related to the contents of the smart demonstration projects. Each
second wireless communication module may be connected to and
control one or more response devices electrically. The response
devices may be one or more of a display, a media player, a LED
lamp, a buzzer, a speaker and a motor.
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrate a smart table provided by various
embodiments of the present disclosure. Different types of sensors
and response devices may be placed in or on the surfaces of the
sand table base 110. The sensors and response devices may be
combined with the sand table scenery structures to provide an
interesting and intuitive demonstration. For example, the sand
table illustrated in FIG. 3 may be used to demonstrate a community
model, and the sand table scenery structure may include several
static landscapes such as houses, roads and vegetation. A sand
table scenery structure 1 may demonstrate a scene of a parking
garage. A plurality of automobile models may be placed on parking
lots. Sensor 1 may be light illuminating sensors. A sensor 1 may
monitor changes of the light illumination when the automobile
models leave or occupy the parking lots, and notify the controller
140 wirelessly. Based on the parking garage demonstration project
information and the status information of the sensor 1, the
controller 140 then may instruct the response devices 1 to respond
correspondingly, such as to display the number of the available
parking lots. In another example, the sand table scenery structure
2 may demonstrate a house model, and the response devices 2 may be
steering gears connected to doors. When a sensor 2 detects status
changed caused by user interactions (such as pressing a doorbell or
approach of a prop detected by NFC devices), the controller 140 may
instruct the steering gears of the response devices 2 to open or
close the doors based on the status information of the sensor
2.
[0026] The sand table base 110 may also serve as a carrier for the
projecting device. In various embodiments, the projecting device
may be deployed above the sand table base 110 and may project
information directly onto the upper surface of the sand table base
110. In other embodiments, the sand table base 110 may be a
transparent plate and the projecting device may be deployed below
the sand table base 110. Correspondingly, the demonstration
information may be projected from bottom to top. The projecting
information may change in real time according to the user
interaction. For example, the controller 140 may instruct the
projecting device to display projecting images 1 and projecting
texts 1 when the sensor 3 is triggered; but instruct the projecting
devices to display projecting texts 2 instead when the sensor 4 is
triggered.
[0027] The controller 140, also referring to a smart demonstration
server, may be connected to the sensor device 120 and the
demonstration device 130. The controller 140 may determine or
retrieve a model and status of the sensor device 120, based on
connecting status and status information of the sensor device 120.
The controller 140 may also determine or retrieve a model and a
status of the demonstration device 130, based on the connecting
status of the demonstration device 130. The controller 140 may
maintain a number and status of all the electronic devices
connected with the controller 140, as well as the corresponding
relationship between the demonstration projects and the electronic
devices according to the stored preset demonstration project
information. Further, the controller 140 may respond to the sensor
device 120 and determine the demonstration information that needs
to be sent to the demonstration device 130, according to the preset
demonstration rules of the demonstration projects. In the example
illustrated in FIG. 3, the controller 140 may identify the
demonstration projects corresponding to the sensors 1-4, the
response devices 1-2 and the projecting device, respectively.
Subsequently, the controller 140 may instruct the response device 1
to respond when the status information of the sensor 1 is received,
and may instruct the projecting device to demonstrate
correspondingly when the status information of the sensor 3 and the
sensor 4 is received.
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a structural block diagram of another
smart sand table demonstration apparatus provided by various
embodiments of the present disclosure. The smart table
demonstration apparatus may further include mobile devices 210
based on FIG. 1. In various embodiments, the mobile devices 210 may
be mobile props for the sand table scenes, such as the automobile
models, remote controlling devices and navigation devices. The
mobile props may include wireless communication modules to
communicate with the controller 140. The mobile props may also
interact with the sensor device 120. The mobile props may further
include sensors and/or response devices, so they can communicate
with the controller 140 based on the demonstration projects to
provide the status information or to demonstrate corresponding
information based on the instructions. For example, the mobile
props may function as a navigation apparatus. The controller 140
may receive related information and instruct the corresponding
response devices to demonstrate effects when users use the mobile
props to trigger specific sensors.
[0029] In various embodiments, the mobile devices 210 may include a
user terminal, such as a cell phone or a tablet. Application
programs corresponding to the smart table demonstration apparatus
may be installed on a user terminal, and user interfaces of the
application programs may provide demonstration project information
and interactive control options. The user terminal then may
generate user controlling information based on user inputs on the
interactive user interfaces. Correspondingly, the controller 140
may also receive the control information from the user terminal.
Subsequently, the controller 140 may determine the demonstration
information based on at least one of the smart demonstration
information, status information and user control information. The
controller 140 may further determine the feedback information based
at least one of the smart demonstration information, status
information and user control information, and send the feedback
information to the user terminal. The feedback information may be
demonstrated on the user terminal by the application programs in a
form including one or more of displaying, sound and vibration.
[0030] The user terminal may be wirelessly connected to the
controller 140. In various embodiments, the user terminal may be
connected to the controller 140 by WiFi, Bluetooth or infrared
connections. In other embodiments, the user terminal and the
controller 140 may be connected to a cloud server respectively.
Then the user terminal and the controller 140 may communicate with
each other through the cloud server. The cloud server may further
be connected to the internet. The user terminal with administrative
authority can also monitor the running status of the smart sand
table demonstration apparatus remotely, while the user terminal
with normal viewing authority can browse in advance or review the
smart sand table demonstration information through the application
programs, and perform various interaction at the scenery
locations.
[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates a structure of electronic devices in the
present disclosure. Each electronic device of the sensor device
120, the demonstration device 130 (such as the projecting device
and the response devices), the mobile devices 210 (such as the
mobile props and the user terminals) and the controller 140 in the
present disclosure may include all of or a portion of the hardware
structure in FIG. 4. As illustrated in FIG. 4, each electronic
device 400 may include a processor 402, a memory device 404, an
external port 406, a communication module 408, a peripheral device
410, and a bus 412 connecting all above components.
[0032] The electronic device illustrated in FIG. 4 is for exemplary
only. In various embodiments, each electronic device may have more
or fewer components than the illustrated components. Also, each
electronic device may have one or more of the same component, and
two or more components may be combined. The components may be
configured differently, or arranged differently. Each component in
FIG. 4 may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of
hardware and software. Each component may include one or more
signal processing integrated circuits and/or specific integrated
circuits. In various embodiments, the processor 202, the memory
device 404, the external port 406, the communication module 408 and
the bus 412 may be implemented in one chip or in independent chips
respectively.
[0033] The memory device 404 may be used to store the application
programs. Through executing the application programs stored in the
memory devices 404, the processor 402 may execute various
functional applications and data processing, such as
identifying/controlling the functional modules connected with the
external port, analyzing the data information received by the
communication module, reading and executing the demonstration
project information. The memory device 404 may include a high-speed
random accessed memory or a non-volatile memory, such as at least
one of magnetic disk memory devices, flash memory devices or other
volatile solid memory devices. Correspondingly, the memory device
404 may further include a memory controller, to implement accessing
of the memory device 404 by the processor 402, the external port
406 and the peripheral device 410.
[0034] The communication module 408 may be used to receive and send
electromagnetic waves, and implement mutual conversion between the
electromagnetic waves and the electrical signals for communication
with communication networks or other devices. The communication
module 408 may include various existing circuit components for
performing above functions, such as antennas, radio frequency
transceivers, digital signal processors, encryption/decryption
chips, memories, and so on. The communication module 408 may
communicate with various networks or may communicate with other
devices through wireless networks. The communication module 408 may
support one or more of communication standards, protocols, and
technologies, including but not limited to infrared, Bluetooth,
wireless personal area network (WPAN) standards, voice over
internet protocol (VoIP), worldwide interoperability for microwave
access (Wi-Max), or any other suitable communication protocols. The
communication module 408 may even support communication protocols
that have not been developed so far. The external port 406 may
include a hardware port (such as a data port or a signal port), to
connect or control various peripherals, such as monitors,
projectors and so on. The external port 406 may also be used to
connect various electronic functional modules for combining various
functions. The peripheral device 410 may include various
input/output devices, such as indicators, switches, speakers, touch
screens, cameras, and so on.
[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates a structure of the sensor device,
demonstration device and mobile devices according to various
embodiments of the present disclosure. Each sensor device 120,
demonstration device 130 and mobile device 210 (such as mobile
prop) may include a same wireless communication module 510 and one
or more functional modules. The wireless communication module 510
may be connected to one or more functional modules electrically.
The wireless communication module 510 may be used to establish a
connection with the controller 140 and perform the wireless
communication, to transmit the status information or demonstration
information of the connected functional modules. The communication
method may be one or more of a Bluetooth communication, an infrared
communication and a WiFi communication. In some embodiments, the
wireless communication modules 510 of some or all the electronic
devices may be wirelessly connected to a router and then
communicate with controller 140 through the router. In other
embodiments, the wireless communication modules 510 of some or all
the electronic devices may be directly connected to the controller
140.
[0036] When a functional module is connected to a wireless
communication module 510 through a matching port, the wireless
communication module 510 can interact with the connected functional
module for data information. Usually, the different functional
modules may have same peripheral hardware ports, which match the
ports of the wireless communication modules 510. The functional
modules, also referring to the functional electronic modules or the
specific functional electronic modules, may include display
modules, media player modules, motor driver modules, sensor modules
(such as a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a light
illuminating sensor, an air quality sensor, a human body sensing
sensor, a color identifying sensor, a proximity sensor, a collision
sensor, a posture sensor, a heart rate sensor, a gesture sensor, an
ultrasonic sensor, a hall sensor, a touch sensor, and so on.),
communication modules, voice collecting modules and image
collecting modules. An entity of a functional module may implement
one specific function or integrate multiple functions. Some
functional modules may be used as the sensor device 120 and others
may be used as the demonstration device 130.
[0037] In various embodiments, each sensor device 120 may include
one wireless communication module 510 and one or more sensing
functional modules connected to the wireless communication module,
while each response device may include one wireless communication
module 510 and one or more response functional modules connected to
the wireless communication module. A wireless communication module
510 may connect one sensing functional module and one response
functional module. Correspondingly, the combination of the wireless
communication module 510 and the sensing functional module may be
used as a sensor device 120, and the combination of the wireless
communication module 510 and the response functional module may be
used as a demonstration device 130. The wireless communication
modules 510 may identify the models and categories of the connected
functional modules, or may send the data of the connected
functional modules to the controller 140 which may identify and
analyze the data. After the wireless communication modules 510
receive the data from the controller 140, the wireless
communication modules 510 may dispatch the instructions to the
corresponding functional modules for execution according to the
identified models of the connected functional modules.
[0038] In some embodiments, the wireless communication modules 510
of different electronic devices may realize a self-organized
network. The wireless connection between the wireless communication
modules 510 of different electronic devices and/or the wireless
connection of the electronic devices with the controller 140, may
be realized by the Internet of Things technology. The wireless
communication modules 510 may support the communication protocols
of Internet of Things, including a wireless personal area network
(WPAN) protocol and an IPv6 over Low Power Wireless Personal Area
Network (6LoWPAN) protocol based on the IEEE802.15.4 standard. In
the default configuration, the networking function of the wireless
communication modules 510 can be enabled. In this case, all the
wireless communication modules 510 in the default configuration can
discover each other within the communication distance and
automatically establish a network connection. The function of ad
hoc network is to discover the surrounding available devices (that
is, other wireless communication modules 510 that can be connected)
and to establish the connection between the wireless communication
modules 510 to form the Internet of Things. After the internet of
things is established, each wireless communication module 510 can
be regarded as a network node, and each wireless communication
module 510 can obtain related information of any node in the
network. The controller 140 may also support the Internet of Things
protocol and act as one node in the network. Alternatively, the
controller 140 may be connected with the wireless communication
module 510 of any one node in the Internet of Things or the
functional module connected thereto via another communication
protocol, and the information of other nodes in the Internet of
Things may be transmitted through this communication protocol to
the controller 140.
[0039] The first wireless communication module and the second
wireless communication module may also be used to establish a
wireless connection with each other. When the first wireless
communication module is in the range of the wireless signal of the
controller 140 and the second wireless communication module is not
in the range of the wireless signal of the controller 140, the
second wireless communication module may communicate with the
controller 140 through the first wireless communication module as
long as the second wireless communication module is in the range of
the wireless signal of the first wireless communication module.
[0040] When the sand table demonstration apparatus includes a
plurality of sensor device, the first wireless communication nodule
of one sensor device may be used to establish a wireless connection
with the first wireless communication module of another sensor
device. When the sand table demonstration apparatus includes a
plurality of demonstration device, the first wireless communication
module of one demonstration device may be used to establish a
wireless connection with the first wireless communication module of
another demonstration device. Further, the first and second
wireless communication modules may be used to establish a wireless
network including a plurality of sensor devices and demonstration
devices.
[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates a method for the sand table demonstration
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The
sand table demonstration method may be used in various embodiments
of the sand table demonstration apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1-5.
The method may include following steps.
[0042] As shown in Step S602 in FIG. 6, a wireless connection
between the sensor device and the controller may be established; a
wireless connection between the demonstration device and the
controller may be established; and the smart demonstration project
information is loaded. The sensor device may be fixed on the sand
table base, and may include a sensor module and a first wireless
communication module connected to each other. The first wireless
communication module may be used to monitor the status information
of the sensor module and transmit the status information to the
controller through the wireless connection. The demonstration
device may include a projecting device to project the information
on the sand table base and produce demonstration effect combing
actual and virtual effects. The demonstration device may further
include response modules and the second wireless communication
module. The second wireless communication module may receive the
demonstration information from the controller and dispatch the
demonstration information to the corresponding response modules.
The response modules may be fixed on the sand table base and
execute demonstration actions according to the demonstration
information.
[0043] The smart demonstration project information may be stored in
a database in conjunction with the controller. Administrators may
preset the smart demonstration project information. The smart
demonstration project information may include preset rules related
to the sensor device, demonstration device and/or mobile devices.
One example of the smart demonstration project information is the
demonstration information which may be generated and the
corresponding demonstration device when some specific preset
conditions are met (such as reaching a preset time or receiving
specific information from the sensor device and/or mobile devices).
The demonstration information may be images or videos for the
projecting device, or control information for the response devices
(such as signals to turn on/off motors).
[0044] As illustrated in Step S604 in FIG. 6, the controller may
receive the status information of the sensor device. The sensor
device may be used for interactive demonstration, and users may
trigger the sensor device in the sand table base according to
different demonstration projects. In various embodiments, the
sensor devices may send information to the controller when
detecting a change in the status (such as reaching a certain
threshold value), or may send status information to the controller
in real time (for example, send information to the controller every
5 seconds according to a preset sampling frequency). In other
embodiments, the sensor device may be in a sleep state when it is
not in use, and send information to the controller after waking up
for a preset period of time (for example, continuously sending
information to the controller with 5 minutes after waking up).
[0045] As illustrated in Step S606 in FIG. 6, the controller may
determine corresponding demonstration information based on at least
one of the smart demonstration project information and the status
information. When detecting that the status information of the
sensor device meets the preset rules or other preset conditions
specified by the smart demonstration project information, the
controller may determine the demonstration information according to
the preset rules. In various embodiments, the controller may
maintain a historical record of variables which are necessary for
the demonstration projects. For example, the controller may revise
the variable information according to the status information and
then update the corresponding demonstration information according
to the revised variable information, when the sensor devices change
the status once.
[0046] In various embodiments, the demonstration information may be
used by a plurality of the demonstration device. For example, the
demonstration information may include preset images for the
projecting device and control signals for the response devices
(such as the controlling signals for the buzzers and indicating
lamps).
[0047] As illustrated in Step S610 in FIG. 6, the controller may
send the demonstration information to the corresponding
demonstration device. If the demonstration information includes
signals for a plurality of demonstration device, the controller may
dispatch the corresponding demonstration information to each
demonstration device. The demonstration device may analyze the
received demonstration information and perform corresponding
demonstration actions. In various embodiments, one projecting
device may be used for a plurality of demonstration projects. For
example, a plurality of interactive sessions may be set up in one
sand table, and the images projected on the sand table by the
projecting device may change according to the demonstration
information for different interactive sessions.
[0048] In various embodiments, the smart table demonstration method
may further include Step S610 in FIG. 6, including: receiving
status update information of the sensor devices; determining the
demonstration update information according to the status update
information and the smart demonstration project information; and
instructing the demonstration device to perform corresponding
demonstration update actions according to the demonstration update
information. The controller may respond differently to the status
information for different cases. In various embodiments, the
controller may load information for multiple demonstration projects
and control the running of the multiple demonstration projects
simultaneously. The controller may determine sources and types of
the information after receiving the status information from the
sensor device, and then find out the information of the
corresponding demonstration projects. Subsequently, the controller
may determine the corresponding demonstration information which may
be sent to the corresponding demonstration device.
[0049] FIG. 7 illustrates another smart table demonstration method
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The
sand table demonstration method may be used in various embodiments
of the sand table demonstration apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1-5.
The executive entities of the method may include a user terminal, a
sensor device, a demonstration device and a controller.
[0050] In the startup phase of the smart sand table demonstration
apparatus, connections between the sensor device and the controller
is established (in Step S704 in FIG. 7); connections between the
demonstration device and the controller is established (in Step
S706 in FIG. 7); and the smart demonstration project information is
loaded (in Step S720 in FIG. 7). In various embodiments, the
controller may collect the models of the sensor device and the
demonstration device that is connected, and then determine the
demonstration projects that may be started according to the models
of the connected devices and the preset information for each
demonstration project. For example, the demonstration project 1
need a sensor 1 and a projector 1; while the demonstration project
2 need a sensor 2, the projector 1 and a response device 1. The
controller can decide whether to start the demonstration project 1
or the demonstration project 2 according to the connected devices.
In other embodiments, administrators may manually select the
demonstration projects to be loaded by the controller, and the
controller may detect whether all necessary devices are online and
respond normally according to the lists of the necessary devices
for the target demonstration projects. In the startup or
demonstration phase, the controller may display corresponding
prompt messages to remind the administrators to check the abnormal
devices, when abnormal or missing devices are detected.
[0051] The user terminal may start demonstration application
programs as illustrated in Step S710 in FIG. 7, and a connection
between the user terminal and the controller may be established as
illustrated in Step S702 in FIG. 7 subsequently. The user terminal
may establish the connection with the controller at any time (in
the startup phase or the demonstration phase). The application
programs may provide introduction related to the smart sand table
demonstration projects, and may also provide controlling options
and feedback interfaces. In other embodiments, it is unnecessary to
install specific application programs in the user terminal, and the
similar functions as the application programs (such as querying
demonstration information, sending control information to the
controller, receiving feedback information from the controller, and
so on.) may be accessed by visiting preset websites in a cloud
server. In this case, the application programs mentioned in Steps
S710-714 may refer to browsers or other programs for visiting
preset websites.
[0052] In the demonstration phase, the sensor device may monitor
its own status information (in Step S730 in FIG. 7) and then
transmit the status information to the controller (in Step S752 in
FIG. 7). The user terminal may generate user control information
according to user inputs received by the user interfaces of the
application programs (in Step S712, in FIG. 7). User inputs may
have different forms. For example, the user interfaces may provide
input requirements related to the demonstration projects, and
instruct users to make a selection, input some text, take a photo,
scan a piece of code, record an audio or shake the terminal. The
user terminal may collect the control information based on the user
inputs and send the control information to the controller. The
controller may determine the corresponding demonstration
information or the feedback information based on at least one of
the smart demonstration project information, the user control
information and the status information (in Step S722 in FIG. 7).
The controller may send the demonstration information to the
demonstration device (in Step S756 in FIG. 7) or send the feedback
information to the user terminal (in Step S758 in FIG. 7).
[0053] The user terminal may display the feedback information
through the application programs after receiving the feedback
information (in Step S714 in FIG. 7). For example, the application
programs may display animations and texts, play sounds, vibrate,
and so on. The demonstration device may analyze the demonstration
information and execute corresponding demonstration actions when
the demonstration information is received.
[0054] The controller may respond to the events of the sensor
device or the user terminal, and then may instruct the
demonstration device to demonstrate information and/or send the
feedback information to the user terminal. This may complete one
interactive demonstration. The process (Step S730 to Step S758 in
FIG. 7) may repeat, and the controller may continuously respond to
various interactive queries and instruct the demonstration device
to complete interactive demonstrations. In various embodiments, the
controller may interact with the sensor device, the demonstration
device and the user terminal by means of push/pull to exchange
information data, but it should not limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0055] In various embodiments, the controller may be connected to
the cloud server, and may control other devices through the cloud
server. The user terminal with administrative authority may be
connected with the controller through the cloud servers to check
the status of the demonstration projects (including the information
from the sensor device and the demonstration device) or to modify
the information of the demonstration projects. The user terminal
watching the demonstration may attend the demonstration projects by
being connected to the cloud server.
[0056] In the smart sand table demonstration apparatus provided by
various embodiments of the present disclosure, the sensor device
and the response device may be placed on the sand table base, while
the projecting device may project demonstration information onto
the sand table base. Further, the controller may determine the
demonstration contents based on the smart demonstration project
information and the user interactive information of the sensor
device, and then the corresponding response devices or the
projecting device may perform the demonstration actions. The
operation of the smart table demonstration apparatus provided by
various embodiments of the present disclosure is simple, and the
interactive experience is intuitive. The smart table demonstration
apparatus may provide a large expanding space for interactive sand
tables, and may meet a large variety of demonstration needs. The
sensor device and response device may be wirelessly connected to
the controller, to send and/or receive data, so the complex wiring
and physical connecting ports are avoided. One controller may
remotely control multiple different types of interactive
demonstration projects. So the layouts of the sand tables are
simplified and a large variety of demonstration effects is
achieved. The user terminal may also interact with the sand table
demonstration apparatus to control the response devices or to
display interactive information. So the interactive strength and
the user experience is improved, and a better demonstration effect
is achieved.
[0057] The smart sand table demonstration apparatus provided by
various embodiments of the present disclosure may be used to
demonstrate the scenery of Internet of Things (IoT). For example,
the sand table may include multiple typical application scenes of
IoT which may be used as a base of module integration. In real
demonstrations, the sensor device and the demonstration device
using different functional modules may be combined according to
different demonstration topics. The apparatus may include: sand
table scenes, one or more IoT devices (such as a demonstration
device, a sensor device, and mobile devices, which including
wireless communication modules 510 and functional modules),
software service terminals (servers or controller 140), and cell
phone APPs for interactions. The power sources and sensors may be
deployed in the sand table to simulate typical IoT scenes. The IoT
devices may be composed of external models (such as static sand
table scenery structures), modular smart hardware and sensors. The
IoT devices may further include WiFi modules or Bluetooth modules
and may detect the scenery environment and interact with the sand
table scenes. The IoT devices may collect the information or detect
events through the sensors, and may send this information to the
software service terminals. The software servers may be responsible
for handling interactive logics between the IoT devices, the cloud
servers, and the cell phones, to integrate the whole sand table
apparatus.
[0058] Some examples of smart demonstration projects based on the
smart sand table demonstration apparatus and methods provided by
various embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided
below.
EXAMPLE 1: SMART PARKING LOT DEMONSTRATION APPARATUS
[0059] A smart parking lot demonstration apparatus may be
implemented using light illuminating sensors. When a parking lot is
occupied (i.e. the light illuminating intensity detected by a light
illuminating sensor is smaller than a specific threshold value),
the status information of the sensor device is "using=true"; while
when a parking lot is available (i.e. the light illuminating
intensity detected by a light illuminating sensor is larger than a
specific threshold value), the status information of the sensor
device is "using=false". The light sensor may detect the change of
the light every one second. If a change of the status is detected,
the light sensor may send the status data to the server (i.e., the
controller 140). If no change in the status is detected, the light
sensor may send "JSON" information to the server every 10
seconds.
[0060] The server may respond to generate demonstration information
or feedback information, after receiving the information from the
light illuminating sensor. For example, in a demonstration scene
for counting the parking lots in a parking garage, the server may
counting the status of a plurality of light sensor, to determine
the number of the available parking lots which may be used as the
demonstration information to be displayed in the indication panel
or to be displayed by projecting device in the parking garage
model. In another example, in a demonstration scene for a smart
house demonstration, the server may remotely turn on smart lamps in
rooms, since the occupied parking lot indicates somebody is home.
Further, the server may send corresponding feedback information to
the user terminal when the user terminals query the server for the
status of this parking lot.
EXAMPLE 2: SMART DOOR LOCK DEMONSTRATION APPARATUS
[0061] A smart door lock demonstration apparatus may be implemented
by NFC sensors, servos, Hall sensors and magnets. When the mobile
props or user terminal with NFC chips approaches, the servos may be
driven to open the doors and then to close the doors automatically
after 10 seconds. The Hall sensors and magnets may be used to
determine whether the doors and windows are closed or not, and then
modify the corresponding status information to "opening=false" or
"opening=true". The Hall sensors may be configured to check the
status every 1 second. If a change in the status variable "opening"
is detected, the sensor may send the status data to the server in
time. If no change in the status is detected, the sensor may send
"JSON" information to the server every 10 seconds. The smart lock
demonstration apparatus may further support controlling from the
server. When the locks receives an instruction (such as the opening
instruction sent by the user terminal through the server), the
locks may determine whether the servos may be driven to open the
doors based on the current status of the variable "opening" (the
servo needs to be driven to open the door if the variable "opening"
is false, but does not need to be driven if the variable "opening"
is true). The above function may be implemented through the code
below:
{cmd:"cm",token:"%device_secret_token%".open:"true/false"}.
[0062] A smart window demonstration apparatus may be implemented by
the same principle.
EXAMPLE 3: SMART SECURITY ALARM DEMONSTRATION APPARATUS
[0063] A smart security alarm demonstration apparatus may be
implemented by PIR sensors and buzzers. The security devices may
include PIR sensors, and report the current security status to the
cloud server every 10 seconds. The cloud server may control the
start or stop of the security devices.
[0064] The smart security alarm demonstration apparatus may be
combined with the smart parking lot demonstration apparatus. For
example, when the smart parking lot is empty, the cloud server
automatically determine a state that the owner is out of the home
and then start the security devices. After starting the security
devices, the buzzer may sound an alarm for 10 seconds and send an
alarm information to the server, if the PIR sensor detects infrared
motion. The server may send an alarm to a cell phone after
receiving the alarm information.
[0065] The smart security alarm demonstration apparatus may also be
combined with the smart lock demonstration apparatus. After
starting the security devices, the buzzer may sound alarmed for 10
seconds and send an alarm information to the server, if the smart
lock detects that a door is open. The server may send an alarm to a
cell phone after receiving the alarm information. Similarly, after
starting the security devices, the buzzer may sound an alarm for 10
seconds and send an alarm information to the server, if the smart
lock detects that a window is open. The server may send an alarm to
a cell phone after receiving the alarm information.
[0066] The smart security alarm may support controlling from the
server. The server may start or stop the security devices according
to the value of the variable "enable". The above function may be
implemented through the code below:
{cmd:"cm",token:"%device_secret_token%",enable:"true/false"}.
[0067] When the security devices are started and the control
information from the cloud server is received, the buzzer may be
driven to sound alarm for ten seconds according to the value of the
variable "warn" (the value of the variable "warn" may be modified
based on the status of the PIR sensor, the status of the smart lock
and the smart window). The above function may be implemented
through the code below:
{cmd:"cm",token:"%device_secret_token%",warn:"true/false"}
EXAMPLE 4: ENERGY MONITORING DEMONSTRATION APPARATUS
[0068] An energy monitoring demonstration apparatus may be
implemented using pressure sensors, LED lights and projecting
devices. Windmill models may be placed on the sand table base, and
may be connected to the pressure sensors. LED light bands may be
deployed on the windmill models (for example, LED light bands may
be deployed on the windmill blades or on the basements of the
windmills as progress bars). When performing the interactive
demonstration, users are instructed to have a deep breath and then
blow the windmills. The data may be collected based on the pressure
and duration of the users' blowing on the windmills, and the power
generated by the users may be computed. The sampling happens every
2 seconds. Then the LED light may be turned on based on the data of
the pressure and duration detected by the pressure sensors, and the
length and colour of the LED light band which is turn on indicates
the amplitude of the generated power. The demonstration of the data
may be feedbacked directly on the windmill modules, or the
audiences/users may take pictures with their own results and
records. The data may also be displayed in the video. The personal
power generation in this time and a comparison with other power
stations (for example, displaying "You beat n % of the power
stations) may be displayed by projecting devices. Top ten users in
the power generation, the power generated cumulatively and the
total number of the power stations may also be displayed.
EXAMPLE 5: CLOUD SERVER AND LOCAL ENVIRONMENT MONITORING
DEMONSTRATION APPARATUS
[0069] A cloud server and local environment monitor demonstration
apparatus may be implemented by temperature sensors, humidity
sensors, atmosphere pressure sensors, and light sensors deployed in
the demonstration space. In the phase of retrieving data, the
server collects the weather information in the space including
temperature, humidity, pressure, light intensity, PM value, and so
on, according to the status information of each sensor. The server
is connected with the cloud server, and may obtain the weather
information (including rain/sunny, temperature, humidity, and so
on) where the users are interested according to the internet
weather service. In the phase of demonstration data, the weather
information may be demonstrated by projecting devices, web
interfaces or APPs, after the server obtains the required weather
information.
EXAMPLE 6: LUNAR RACING FIELD DEMONSTRATION APPARATUS
[0070] FIG. 8A illustrates a top view of the sand table base of a
lunar racing scene demonstration project. The sand table base
demonstrates the structure of lunar potholes, providing a racing
field. FIG. 8B illustrates mobile props used for the lunar racing
scene demonstration project. FIG. 8B shows a lunar rover for racing
which may include a six-wheel-remote-driven apparatus, an
electromagnetic manipulator, a searchlight, an image transmission
camera, electronic modules, an infrared aiming apparatus, a
self-stabilizing collecting platform and other components. A remote
device Joypad may be used to control the lunar rover to move or
collect stuff using the manipulator. Images captured by the camera
in the lunar rover may be transmitted to a display helmet (image
transmission eyeglasses in FIG. 8B) in real time. The main task of
the competition is controlling the lunar rover to collect useful
minerals (meteorites) by the image transmission apparatus and the
2.4G remote controller, and to send the meteorites back by the
self-stabilizing platform apparatus to the base within a specific
time period through the various complex. bumpy roads. The
electromagnets may be used to detect and collect the meteorites.
The electronic modules in FIG. 8B may adopt the structure of the
mobile props in FIG. 5, including wireless communication module 510
to communicate with the controller 140. In various embodiments, a
plurality of the lunar rovers may form a self-organized
network.
[0071] FIG. 9 illustrates a three-dimensional structure of a lunar
rover scenery sand table. After adding the projecting effects from
the projecting devices, the field is ready for use. The projection
mark 912 can designate the starting point of the competition, and
the projection mark 914 can update the competition time in real
time after the competition begins. A plurality of circular
projecting mark may be also shown on the sand table, and the
circular projecting marks with different colours may designate the
mining points (such as the projecting marks 922) and the
opportunity points (such as the projecting marks 924). The
positions of the circular projecting marks may be different in
different competitions, which may improve the interests of the
matches. In each competition, operators may control the lunar
rovers by the image transmission apparatus and the remote
controllers in a designated operating region, while other members
may directly observe the map and provide reference information to
the operators in the meantime. Sensors (including Hall sensors or
light sensors) may be deployed in the opportunity points. When the
operators control the lunar rovers to stop in one of the
opportunity points (such as the position of the projection mark
924), the status of the sensor in the point may change and may be
sent to the server, while the sever may control the projecting
devices to blink the corresponding circular mark for 3 seconds
(such as to blink the projecting mark 924), based on the sensor
number and the position of the corresponding circular mark. The
server may also record that the corresponding team achieves an
opportunity reward, and different opportunity points may correspond
to different rewards. Magnets may be deployed in the mining points.
When the operators control the lunar rovers to arriving at the
mining points (such as the position of the mark 932), the lunar
rovers may collect the magnets (minerals) by the mechanical arms.
Minerals in different reward points with different difficulty for
mining may correspond to different scores. The operators may
collect the minerals to the self-stabilizing platforms by the
electromagnets and transport them back to the bases to achieve
scores.
[0072] The above racing field model makes comprehensive use of
smart electronic modules, sensor technology, Internet of Things
technology and interactive projector technology, to construct an
interactive racing field combing the virtual and realistic effects.
In the racing field of the present demonstration project, the
system may include a racing field, racing device(s), a software
server, a projector for effect demonstration. The racing field may
show the rendering effect by the projector. Power sources, sensors,
and integrated network modules (such as the wireless communication
modules 510) may be deployed in the racing field for transmitting
status and receiving control signals. The racing devices also may
include integrated network modules for transmitting status and
receiving control signals. The racing devices may form a
self-organized network or may be directly connected to each other
by a router. The racing field and the racing devices may send the
status of themselves to the software sever to form an aggregation
of the field information. The software server may receive the
status of the racing field and the racing devices, and control the
projector to demonstrate a variety of visual effect and control the
actions of the devices in the racing field, according to the racing
rules.
EXAMPLE 7: LOGISTICS SAND TABLE FOR BELT AND ROAD (B&R)
INITIATIVE DEMONSTRATION APPARATUS
[0073] FIG. 10 illustrates a three-dimensional effect of a sand
table demonstration apparatus for logistics in the B&R
initiative. The three-dimensional sand table base may be
constructed according to the geographical profile of the B&R,
at least showing the elevation effect of the various sections. The
train track models may also be deployed in the sand table base. The
geomorphological and weather information may be added in the
projection on the sand table base, showing the positions of lakes,
the information of deserts and vegetations in various sections. The
train models 1040 may be used as the mobile props in the sand
table, and may move along the train track models to transport
virtual goods between train stations along the train tracks. Each
train station may be labelled with a name using a projecting mark.
For example, the projecting mark 1022 labels Chongqing train
station. Sensors may be deployed in each train station and may be
buried below the train tracks inside the sand stable base, as
illustrated by the point 1032. The sensors may be used to determine
whether trains arrive at the corresponding train station and to
send the status information to the server (the controller 140). The
server may determine which station a train arrives currently based
on the status information from sensors corresponding to each trains
station. The server may also remotely control the startup and stop
of the train models 1040. The demonstration project may be
performed in a demonstration mode and an interactive mode. In the
demo mode, the trains may stop at every train station and then
start up after a preset time period automatically. In the
interactive mode, users may send out instructions through APPs, and
the server may control the startup and stop of the train after
receiving the instructions.
[0074] This sand table demonstration project can set a special good
for each train station: Chongqing (China): hotpot; Urumqi (China):
fruits; Moscow (Russia): matryoshka; Duisburg (Germany): beer;
Colombo (Sri Lanka): Black tea; Nairobi (Kenya): Black wood
carving. Each train station may have a freight yard. Virtual goods
in the freight yards may be in one of the following statuses:
"Deliverable", "To be shipped", "To be received", "In transit",
"Delayed", "Arrived", and "In freight handling and
transportation".
[0075] The server may maintain various variables corresponding to
the logistics and transportation, such as the categories and
numbers of goods in each trains station, the number of goods
carried by the trains, categories and corresponding destinations of
goods, current stop stations of the trains, and the transportation
status of each good. The server may update values of the
corresponding variables based on different interactive scenes (such
as the status of the sensors in the corresponding trains stations,
and the controlling information from the APPs in cell phones), and
then send the corresponding demonstration information to the
projecting devices for display. For example, the projecting
information 1012 in FIG. 10 shows the categories and numbers of the
goods carried by the current trains; the projecting information
1014 shows introductions to the destination city of the current
trains; and the projecting information 1016 shows the cargo
situation of each train station and other update information. The
information display panels may be displayed in videos by project,
and may be fixed-height scrollable information boxes which may hold
up to 200 lines of texts.
[0076] Abnormal events may also be set up in the demonstration. A
plurality of virtual roadblocks representing the abnormal events
may be deployed in the sand table railway. These events may
include: heavy snowfall (Russia), typhoon (Persian Gulf), loss of
goods (places not limited). If meeting a roadblock, the status of
the goods in transit on the train may be changed to "delayed" in
the sending station and receiving station. When routing failure
happens, the fault information may be displayed on the display
panel. If a train arrives at this location during a roadblock, the
train automatically stops and waits. The stop of a train may send a
train delay information to the information display panel. When a
recovery button is pressed, the turntable changes to "unblocked"
and a train arriving at this location goes through smoothly.
[0077] A situation for lost goods may be also set up in the
demonstration project. A cargo loss device similar to a slot
machine may be deployed on the sand table railway or a virtual
goods loss device may be set up in the APP. The audiences may press
the button to randomly select one good in transit whose status may
be changed too "Lost" from "In transit".
[0078] According to different user interaction and train logistics,
the server may make specific treatment. When the goods are in a
"Deliverable" status, audiences can send the virtual goods to other
destination stations. Once the audiences choose to send a virtual
good to a station, the status of the goods at the delivery station
is changed to "To be Delivered" and the goods are added at the
destination station where the status of the good is "To Be
Received".
[0079] When trains arrive at stations, the following process may be
applied on the goods in a status of "Lost": the corresponding
status of the goods in the delivery station and the destination
station is changed to "Lost", and then the goods are deleted from
the delivery station and the destination station after the
information blinks three times; the goods the goods in a status of
"Lost" on the trains are deleted; in the initial station of the
goods, the goods are changed to "deliverable" to replenish supply.
When trains arrive at stations, the following process may be
applied to the goods arrive at the station: the corresponding
status of the goods in the delivery station is changed to
"Arrived", and then the goods are deleted from the delivery station
after the information blinks three times; the status of the goods
is changed to "deliverable" in the destination station and the
goods on the trains are deleted. When trains leave stations, the
following process may be applied to the goods arrive at the
delivery stations: the corresponding status of the goods in all
delivery station is changed to "In transit"; modify the list of
goods on the trains to add the goods that are delivered; the status
of the goods is changed from "To he received" to "In transit" in
the destination station.
[0080] This sand table demonstration apparatus for logistics in the
B&R initiative integrates the remote controlling function, and
provides a large variety of interactive sessions and direct
demonstrations, which is very interesting.
[0081] In the smart sand table demonstration apparatus provided by
various embodiments of the present disclosure, the sensor device in
the sand table is wirelessly connected to the controller, and
wiring for a complex layout is avoided, providing more creative
space and possibility for constructing sand tables for various
demonstration projects.
[0082] For the electronic modules used in various embodiments of
the present disclosure (such as wireless communication modules 510
and functional electronic modules), one or more electronic chips
may be deployed in a PCB board to form an integrated circuit board,
and then the shells may be assembled with the integrated circuit
board to form an electronic module. The electronic modules may
further include magnets to magnetically connect the current
electronic module to other electronic modules.
[0083] Any suitable electronic chips or IC chips may be integrated
into to the circuit boards of the corresponding modules by
pre-assembling or other methods. The examples of the electronic
chips include but are not limited to: microcontroller units (8-bit,
16-bit and 32-bit) ARM CPU, MIPS CPU, USB2TTL, Ethernet, RS485, USB
Host, wireless 2.4 GHz, wireless 433 MHz, wireless 866 MHz,
wireless 950 MHz, wireless Bluetooth ZigBee, NFC, Micro SD, GPS,
GPRS/GSM, 4G/LTE, wireless chargers, MP3 decoders, amplifiers,
Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs), motor drivers, stepper
drives, (real time clock) RTC, accelerometer, gyroscopes, magnetic
field strength, Lithium battery managers, dual-board, Arduino to
Microduino pin transductions, skin current sensors, Arsenic
detectors, resistors, capacitors, inductors, and/or others chips
which are provided in the same or different modules for making the
desired electronic modules.
[0084] Each electronic module may perform one or more functions
(such as one LED, one button, one light sensor, and so on), and
these modules may be combined to form bigger circuits. Some modules
may respond to external events such as mechanical forces, touching,
approaching, RF signals, environmental conditions, and so on. Some
other modules may be pre-programmed as functional modules such as
synthesizers, oscillators, and so on. Some other modules may be
used to transfer currents only, such as lead modules. The rest
modules may be used to provide currents, such as power blocks or
modules. The modules may further include adapter boards, which is
used to construct apparatus (electronic building block apparatus)
with other electronic modules and for matching the interfaces.
[0085] The functional electronic modules in various embodiments in
the present disclosure may have standard ports which match the
external ports of wireless communication modules 510. When any one
of the functional electronic modules is connected to the wireless
communication module 510, this functional electronic module may
communicate with the controller 140 for information exchange
through the wireless communication module 510.
[0086] The functional electronic modules in various embodiments in
the present disclosure may be connected with each other. For
example, the integrated circuit board may include electrical
conductors (such as metallic probes and pin connectors) for current
transmission between neighbouring modules. The pin connectors may
use spring probes to prevent damage in operations and to increase
the service life of the modules. The pin connectors may include any
numbers of spring probes in any arrangement, and may be used for
current conducting and/or electronic communication between one
module and the next module. For example, the pin connectors may be
spring probes such as pogo pins, to ensure the connection between
the stacking modules. In one embodiment, pogo pins may include 27
pogo pins arranged in a U shape, about 44 pogo pins arranged in an
H shape, or about 88 pogo pins arranged in an H shape. This should
not limit the scope of the present disclosure and any other methods
for current conducting and electronic information communication
between the modules are within the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0087] The smart sand table demonstration apparatus provided by
various embodiments of the present disclosure may be used in a
large variety of demonstration projects, such as science/education
projects, building demonstrations, and so on. The smart table
demonstration apparatus combines the static scenery structures of
the sand tables with the sensor devices and the demonstration
device, providing a large creation and design space. Interactive
experience and intuitive demonstration are achieved. The sensor
devices and response devices may be wirelessly connected to the
controller, to send and/or receive data, so the complex wiring and
physical connecting ports are avoided. One controller may remotely
control multiple different types of interactive demonstration
projects. So the layouts of the sand tables are simplified and a
large variety of demonstration effects is achieved. The user
terminals may also interact with the sand table demonstration
apparatus to control the response devices or to display interactive
information. So the interactive strength and the user experience is
improved, and a better demonstration effect is achieved.
[0088] The embodiments disclosed herein are exemplary only. Other
applications, advantages, alternations, modifications, or
equivalents to the disclosed embodiments are obvious to those
skilled in the art and are intended to be encompassed within the
scope of the present disclosure.
* * * * *